The south wing of the Corn Exchange, facing onto Market Square, was part of the original design by the architect Louis Vulliamy but its original purpose is a matter of speculation.  The trading floor of the Corn Exchange was in the north wing, facing onto High Street.  Reports from when the building opened in 1828 mention a fish, meat, poultry and vegetable market but the floor space does not seem big enough to accommodate more than a few stalls.

By 1839, a bank was opened. This was a branch of the London & County Bank which remained until 1867 when it relocated to 9, North Street, part of the site of the present NatWest Bank.

Between then and the early 1900’s, there were various shops along the front facing onto Market Street, including a hairdresser, a beer seller and a (lady) fish merchant.  In the 1890’s there had again been mention of alterations to include a poultry, butter and vegetables market.

Clerks outside The London & County Bank in about 1865

In 1904, a bank returned to this site.  This was Fosters’ Bank which had transferred from around the corner, at 4 Market Square.  Through a series of mergers and acquisitions, this became the Capital and Counties Bank and later, in 1918, Lloyds Bank.  This was to remain here until 1972 when it moved to its present premises on North Street.  More recently, the site has been occupied by Halifax Bank (Building Society).  This closed in 2024 and there are now plans by Gail’s Bakery to re-open as a bakery and café.

Over the years, the façade has undergone at least three modifications, with the present dating from the early 1900’s.  This final set of alterations placed the entrance door at an angle, across the corner and introduced the present set of large windows. The coat of arms in the pediment above the entrance is that of The Capital and Counties Bank.

The Capital and Counties Bank ca 1910